Tag: markets

Tokyo’s Nikkei closes down over 2 percent

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo shares closed lower on Friday, following a global market slide stemming from the lowered European economic outlook as well as receding hopes for smooth progress in US-China trade talks. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index dropped 2.01 percent or 418.11 points to end at 20,333.17. Over the week, it was down 2.19 percent. The broader Topix index lost 1.89 percent or 29.63 points to 1,539.40. Over the week, it was down […]

Tokyo stocks open lower, tracking Wall Street

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks opened lower on Thursday tracking falls in US shares, with investors focusing on corporate earnings reports. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 0.19 percent or 39.11 points at 20,834.95 in early trade while the broader Topix index slipped 0.24 percent or 3.78 points to 1,578.35. “Following declines in US shares, selling is seen dominating trade in early hours,” Okasan Online Securities said in a commentary. Given earnings reports […]

Tokyo stocks open higher on signs of strong US economy

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks opened higher on Monday, helped by a cheaper yen and optimism over the US economy following strong jobs data that also saw Wall Street shares rise. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 0.42 percent, or 87.74 points, at 20,876.13 in early trade, while the broader Topix index rose 0.60 percent, or 9.33 points, to 1,573.96. Wall Street shares ended mostly higher after stronger-than-expected US jobs data. The dollar […]

Tokyo stocks end down ahead of US-China talks, Fed decision

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo shares ended lower Wednesday with investors sitting on their hands as US and Chinese trade negotiators prepared to meet again. The market was also in wait-and-see mode ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision later Wednesday, meaning major indices spent much of the day in the red. The Nikkei 225 index, which opened briefly in positive territory, ended down 0.52 percent, or 108.10 points, to 20,556.54 while the broader […]

Pound stable after Brexit drop, Asia stocks mixed before trade talks

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — The pound ticked up slightly in Asia on Wednesday after suffering heavy losses on worries about a possible no-deal Brexit, while regional equities were mixed ahead of crunch trade talks between China and the United States. MPs on Tuesday returned to Westminster to vote on a series of proposals dealing with Britain’s exit from the European Union after roundly rejecting Prime Minister Theresa May’s controversial deal two weeks ago. In […]

Global stocks mostly down as slowing China weighs on some earnings

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Global stocks mostly fell Monday as a heavy week of earnings and economic news kicked off with a pair of disappointing US reports that underscored worries about slowing Chinese growth. This week’s calendar includes the resumption of closely-watched US-China trade talks in Washington following a series of tariff announcements and tit-for-tat countermeasures by the two countries against each other. Economists say that and other trade battles are weighing on […]

Tokyo shares close slightly higher

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo shares closed marginally higher on Tuesday after being dragged down by worries about the Chinese economy amid trade tensions with the United States. The Nikkei 225 index edged up 0.08 percent, or 15.64 points, to end at 20,664.64 while the broader Topix index was up 0.10 percent, or 1.58 points, at 1,557.09. Wall Street started the week lower on disappointing earnings reports by Caterpillar and tech firm Nvidia that underscored […]

Tokyo shares recover losses after bargain hunting

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks recovered from earlier losses to end almost flat Wednesday, as the dollar firmed while investors searched for new cues. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended down just 0.14 percent, or 29.19 points, at 20,593.72, while the broader Topix index fell 0.60 percent, or 9.40 points, to 1,547.03. Tokyo shares began trading in the red, touching the day’s low of 20,438.22 a minute after the opening bell, after Wall Street shares […]

Pound stands firm after May loss, London stocks edge up

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — The pound held its ground Wednesday and London’s FTSE opened higher after the record defeat of British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan, as investors consider the next developments in the long-running saga. Sterling tanked to a near two-year low soon after the government’s proposal on leaving the European Union was soundly beaten Tuesday evening, but it soon bounced back as traders bet there would not be a “no-deal” exit. […]

Asian markets hit by profit-taking, more weak China data

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong led a sell-off across Asian markets Monday as profit-takers moved in following a six-day rally, while dealers were also spooked by another disappointing batch of weak economic data out of China. With few catalysts to drive buying, equities were ripe for selling after last week’s healthy gains, with the US government shutdown — now in its fourth week and showing no sign of ending soon — instilling a […]

Asian markets in retreat after week-long rally

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong led a sell-off across Asian markets Monday as profit-takers moved in following a six-day rally, while traders look ahead to the release of corporate earnings. With few catalysts to drive buying, equities were ripe for selling after last week’s healthy gains, with the US government shutdown — now in its fourth week and showing no sign of ending soon — instilling a sense of unease. Also on the […]

Asian markets enjoy another rally as China-US trade hopes bloom

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Increasing optimism that China and the United States will be able to hammer out a deal to help ease their trade war provided the impetus for more gains across Asian markets on Wednesday. After taking a battering in December and suffering a shaky start to 2019, confidence is slowly returning to equity trading floors, though dealers remain on edge. Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell provided the platform for a rally […]